Henanshi Sanghvi Fasted For 400 Days And It Changed Her Life

Henanshi Sanghvi shares with SheThePeople her fasting journey, what inspired her to take her health seriously, and how a healthy pattern proved to be a game changer for her personal and professional trajectories.

Henanshi Sanghvi Story

"I was a rebel in my early teens. You say south and I would go north! I wanted to make a career in painting, but I wasn't getting anywhere. I did a few exhibitions but all flopped! I was anxious all the time.

Looking at my mental health, Mom decided to get my life on track so she took me to the Jain ashram and asked me to stay there for a couple of days. I threw a lot of tantrums as it was a place with rules and discipline but she left me there. Just after one day there, I asked Maa to take me back. She bluntly refused! I was infuriated.

I was thinking of options to take my mind off things when a female monk caught my attention. She was fasting as per rituals but at the same time was doing all the chores effortlessly! She was not drained, she was not stressed but was rather happy in whatever she was doing. I was inspired at that very moment. I was fascinated and decided to try it out. Also, I had seen my friend Prachi doing the same.

I was not religious, but this fasting started making a lot of sense when I started understanding the logic behind it. It helped me think straight and become productive. It also helped me cleanse and detox my body. But, most importantly I realized it was all about gaining control over one's mind. Fasting did not mean starving myself but eating right. I started treating my body as a temple.

I fasted for 400 days and it was a game-changer. Maa and Papa were shocked by my decision. They used to get sad sometimes looking at me but they were my support system. I was lucky to have Maa make me the food that I needed. Initially, it was tough for me to fight my temptations but then I wanted to test my will and learn the lesson of discipline so I pushed myself. Prachi and my family encouraged me. They said, 'Do right with yourself. Guess what, I made it just fine and completed my 400 days gracefully.

My life was also on track and I made a career in painting! All this was possible just because I had Maa and Prachi by my side forever. Today, I am an artist with a taste of success and a YouTuber. I was lucky to have learnt at 21 that as long as you take charge of your own life, no one can stop you from achieving big.”

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